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And what role does radio chit-chat about rumoured potential candidates play in the public’s understanding of London’s wide-open mayoral race?

Bentley, the ex-MPP for London West, spoke with The Free Press Thursday to state — once again — he has no interest in running for mayor, contrary to broadcast rumours he’s set to jump in next week.

“I have no idea where that story came from,” Bentley said of the item reported by CJBK Thursday.

It was nine months ago that Bentley told The Free Press he had no interest in running for mayor. He noted Thursday that “I have the same position” today.

But speculation may be unavoidable, given the state of the race following Joe Fontana’s resignation, ex-councillor Roger Caranci’s newly launched mayoral run, Coun. Matt Brown’s well-established campaign and Coun. Joe Swan’s delayed decision.

Bentley, who remains popular locally, gets frequent requests around London to go for the big job.

So, it may be the nature of the beast, said Caranci, who joined the race earlier this week.

“It’s different than any other campaign I’ve seen, because there’s no incumbent running,” Caranci said. “It makes it exciting for the citizens. It makes it extremely exciting for the media, because there’s going to be a race and may the best person win.”

CJBK’s Steve Garrison said his efforts prior to Thursday’s broadcast to contact Bentley were unsuccessful, and added: “Based on the information I had (from several people) I felt strongly that the story had merit.”

For Bentley, who heads Ryerson University’s law practice program, there’s another dimension for Londoners to consider: maybe they should look to each other, not just political leaders, to push the city forward.

“What I’ve said is, let’s not just leave it all to (politicians),” Bentley said. “It’s a really critical time for our community.”

Swan, who is mulling a mayoral run, said he’d announce his plans by the weekend. But he’s now set to spend another seven to 10 days before making a decision.

Brown and Caranci could be considered front-runners among the 12 declared candidates.